Lawmaker renews push to defund Planned Parenthood

Rep. Diane Black, Tennessee Republican, is reviving the push to cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood and other abortion businesses.

Mrs. Black has reintroduced a proposal that would prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from funneling federal funds to abortion providers.

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“I urge my colleagues to stand up for life and support this important legislation,” Mrs. Black said on the floor of the House on Monday, where she singled out Planned Parenthood, which performers more abortions than anyone else in the nation.

Former Rep. Mike Pence, who was elect governor of Indiana in November, introduced the bill in the 112th Congress, but it went on to die in the House committee on energy and commerce.

The proposal has exceptions for abortions performed in cases of rape, incest against a minor, and where the mother’s physical well-being is at stake.

Planned Parenthood says that it does not use the federal funds for abortions, but critics note that money is fungible, and therefore the federal funds help subsidize abortion services.

Last week, Planned Parenthood released its annual report, showing that the group received $542 million in taxpayer funding through a combination of government grants, contracts and Medicaid reimbursements. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood performed 333,964 abortions — a record number for itself and about 30 percent of the nation’s abortions.